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Minor correctionSo did the British, where the R in the Fairey Swordfish TSR and its predecessor, the Blackburn Shark TSR, and its successors the Fairey Albacore TSR and Barracuda TSR is for Recon (TSR = torpedo/spotter/reconnaissance).
So, yes we'll need to change the spec and doctrine for the FAA's fighter, as there's no need for two Recon types on the same carrier, and especially one that degrades fleet air defence - ideally when the Nimrod replacement is being Specified. In 1940 each RN carrier should go to sea with folding Sea Hurricanes, Swordfish TSRs, and where there's space, Skua dive bombers (this also needs a re-prioritization away from fighter pretences to dedicated DB).
We don't need the folding Sea Hurricane until HMS Ark Royal and the Illustrious class enter service, so I would start with a naval version of the Hurricane Mk1 or II, though the two blade prop may be a concern. The Outrageous class trio have catapults, so that should help get these early Sea Hurricanes airborne. HMS Eagle, Hermes and Argus will need to wait until the more powerful Sea Hurricanes are available. Hopefully by the time the Griffon is available the Sea Hurricane has been replaced entirely by the Seafire or something else (since, presumably there's no Firefly).Concentrating on the OP, the Sea Hurricane improvements would be a function of improving power to allow lifting heavier loads off the same decks. Try adding the weight of armour, folding wings, hook, extra fuel etc. onto a 2 blade fixed pitch propellor early Hurricane and get off the deck safely. Especially on one of the smaller carriers in hot weather and minimal wind. A different story with a Merlin 55 let alone a Griffon.
No catapults on Furious, Eagle or Hermes. Argus received a BH.I accelerator (catapult) during her 1936-38 refit to equip her as a Queen Bee carrier. C&G only received their BH.I in refits in 1935/36. Ark had the same model from completion.We don't need the folding Sea Hurricane until HMS Ark Royal and the Illustrious class enter service, so I would start with a naval version of the Hurricane Mk1 or II, though the two blade prop may be a concern. The Outrageous class trio have catapults, so that should help get these early Sea Hurricanes airborne. HMS Eagle, Hermes and Argus will need to wait until the more powerful Sea Hurricanes are available. Hopefully by the time the Griffon is available the Sea Hurricane has been replaced entirely by the Seafire or something else (since, presumably there's no Firefly).
The USN and IJN made single seat fighters work. So can the RN/FAA, as they did with the non-folding Sea Hurricane. Add external or internal fuel as needed - we'll still be lighter than the Fulmar.The longer endurance/ammo load allows for a small number of planes to maintain coverage much longer than even a larger number of shorter endurance aircraft.
Since carriers often had to turn into the wind to launch/recover aircraft, keeping aircraft in the air for even 2 hours longer reduces a lot of course changes and fuel burn of the carrier running at high speed to regain position.
Please define what you think you mean by "The USN and IJN made single seat fighters work" and with what in what timescale?The USN and IJN made single seat fighters work. So can the RN/FAA, as they did with the non-folding Sea Hurricane. Add external or internal fuel as needed - we'll still be lighter than the Fulmar.
Just skip the Fulmar and get the Sea Hurricane into earlier, widespread service - that's where its opportunity for improvement is the greatest.
A good point. In fact, dual-role Skuas and Rocs aside, in the entire history of British carrier aviation out of more than two dozen operational fighters there have been a total of five two-seat fighters: Fulmar, Firefly, Sea Venom, Sea Vixen and the American Phantom II. Every other FAA operated carrier fighter: Pup, Camel, Nightjar, Flycatcher, Nimrod, Sea Gladiator, Sea Hurricane, Seafire, Sea Fury, Sea Hornet, Firebrand, Attacker, Sea Hawk, Sea Vampire, Scimitar, Sea Harrier, plus the American Martlet, Hellcat, Corsair and now Lightning II have been single seaters. The FAA and Admiralty weren't stupid, but they had to deal with the cards they had.Its always worth remembering the the RN also had experience of single seat fighters between the wars. So the problems and advantages were well known to the RN.
There were no Fulmars to spare in the Summer of 1940:A good point. In fact, dual-role Skuas and Rocs aside, in the entire history of British carrier aviation out of more than two dozen operational fighters there have been a total of five two-seat fighters: Fulmar, Firefly, Sea Venom, Sea Vixen and the American Phantom II. Every other FAA operated carrier fighter: Pup, Camel, Nightjar, Flycatcher, Nimrod, Sea Gladiator, Sea Hurricane, Seafire, Sea Fury, Sea Hornet, Firebrand, Attacker, Sea Hawk, Sea Vampire, Scimitar, Sea Harrier, plus the American Martlet, Hellcat, Corsair and now Lightning II have been single seaters. The FAA and Admiralty weren't stupid, but they had to deal with the cards they had.
Someone should have assigned a squadron of Fulmars to RAF Fighter Command in the summer of 1940 and demonstrated how it preforms against the Bf 109s, Bf 110s and medium bombers that it will need to defend the fleet against.
For carrier borne two seaters you have missed:-A good point. In fact, dual-role Skuas and Rocs aside, in the entire history of British carrier aviation out of more than two dozen operational fighters there have been a total of five two-seat fighters: Fulmar, Firefly, Sea Venom, Sea Vixen and the American Phantom II. Every other FAA operated carrier fighter: Pup, Camel, Nightjar, Flycatcher, Nimrod, Sea Gladiator, Sea Hurricane, Seafire, Sea Fury, Sea Hornet, Firebrand, Attacker, Sea Hawk, Sea Vampire, Scimitar, Sea Harrier, plus the American Martlet, Hellcat, Corsair and now Lightning II have been single seaters. The FAA and Admiralty weren't stupid, but they had to deal with the cards they had.
Someone should have assigned a squadron of Fulmars to RAF Fighter Command in the summer of 1940 and demonstrated how it preforms against the Bf 109s, Bf 110s and medium bombers that it will need to defend the fleet against.
Why?Someone should have assigned a squadron of Fulmars to RAF Fighter Command in the summer of 1940 and demonstrated how it preforms against the Bf 109s, Bf 110s and medium bombers that it will need to defend the fleet against.
To demonstrate the folly of twin seat, single-engined fighters. So, to dissuade the FAA from accepting the type. Admittedly some time travel is needed. Better for the Fulmar concept to be rejected outright and replaced by the Sea Hurricane or something else.Why?
Like 1 to 2 years?To demonstrate the folly of twin seat, single-engined fighters. So, to dissuade the FAA from accepting the type. Admittedly some time travel is needed. Better for the Fulmar concept to be rejected outright and replaced by the Sea Hurricane or something else.
Yes, if only the Air Ministry would tell those pesky Navy Guys that they didn't really need airplanes and with a few hundred more bombers built at the ex FAA factories the RAF could destroy the German factories producing the planes and subs the Navy Guys were worried about.The Admiralty were concerned that if the plants fell idle, MAP would allocate them to RAF production and the RN might never get the aircraft they needed. The FAA was well down the priority list when it came to aircraft production.
"...The bomber will always get through."Yes, if only the Air Ministry would tell those pesky Navy Guys that they didn't really need airplanes and with a few hundred more bombers built at the ex FAA factories the RAF could destroy the German factories producing the planes and subs the Navy Guys were worried about.
I sometimes find this forum exhausting. We can all find the reason why something would not, could not or should not have occurred. That's easy, anyone can throw on their contrarian hat and destroy any pov or position. But the best, most enjoyable discussions I've had in-person and online start with the how, for example how to make a better Sea Hurricane including identifying and how to overcome any barriers in doctrine, political and bureaucratic priorities, and engineering. Anyway, peace.Doing a bit better but still failing doesn't actually do the job.
We can all find the reason why something would not, could not or should not have occurred. That's easy, anyone can throw on their contrarian hat and destroy any pov or position.